Orthodontic Treatment in Buffalo, NY

Orthodontic Treatment in Buffalo, NY

Providing affordable, invisible, removable, and comfortable orthodontic treatment for patients throughout Buffalo, Amherst, Williamsville, Clarence, Western New York and Beyond

There are some oral health issues that no manner of brushing and flossing can ever prevent. Things like crowded teeth, crooked teeth, alignment issues, and more can be painful, uncomfortable, damaging to your self-confidence, and they can leave you susceptible to even more oral health complications.

The good news is that there are a number of ways to treat these orthodontic issues. And with the help of modern technology, your treatment doesn’t have to be nearly as uncomfortable or expensive as it once was, nor does it have to draw as much unwanted attention. 

Keep reading for some useful information regarding orthodontic treatment, the different solutions modern dentistry has for your alignment issues, and much more.

What Is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is the area of dentistry that focuses on the alignment and positioning of teeth. When you have an overbite, an underbite, crooked teeth, or any other similar issue, your orthodontist can diagnose and treat you in order to prevent discomfort, speech problems, and other oral health issues. Orthodontic treatment can provide you with a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing smile.

The Most Common Orthodontic Issues

Issues with alignment and tooth positioning can manifest in many different ways. While each issue can present unique problems to the patient’s oral health, many of them share quite a few characteristics. Nearly all of them are correctable through the same orthodontic treatments. Below is a list of the most common orthodontic issues.  

Overbite

An overbite occurs when the top row of teeth protrudes over the bottom row when the mouth is closed. It’s often the result of the upper jaw’s natural placement. However, it can also be caused by behaviors like thumb-sucking and tongue thrusting during development, altering the position of the teeth later in life.

Underbite

An underbite occurs when the bottom row of teeth protrudes over the top row when the mouth is closed. This orthodontic issue is a hard one to treat and is most often the result of genetics.

Open Bite

When the upper and lower rows of teeth do not meet while the mouth is closed, it’s considered an open bite. The most common causes of this orthodontic issue are the same behaviors that can cause an overbite: thumb-sucking and tongue thrusting.

Tooth Crowding

When the jaw does not have enough space to comfortably fit all of the teeth, crowding can occur. This is one of the most common issues that prompt people to seek orthodontic treatment. 

Tooth crowding can lead to the teeth becoming worn down unevenly and susceptible to damage, and it also makes keeping the teeth clean quite difficult, which can lead to bad breath (halitosis) and tooth decay.

Tooth Gaps

When the spacing between teeth is irregular, a few different factors can be to blame. The teeth may be undersized, meaning the jaw bone and tooth size may be mismatched. Other times, it’s caused by behaviors like thumb-sucking or tongue thrusting. Gaps in the front two teeth are common, but irregular spacing can exist anywhere in the mouth.

The Different Types of Orthodontic Treatments

If you’ve got any of the orthodontic issues listed above, you’re probably looking for a way to fix them so you can protect your oral health and smile with confidence. Fortunately, there are a few different orthodontic treatments available that can help you do exactly that. The most common among them are listed below, along with some useful details about each.

Traditional Metal Braces

With over 4 million Americans currently wearing them at any given time, traditional metal braces are the most common of all orthodontic treatments — and for a good reason. 

Traditional braces are highly effective, and they can tackle the broadest range of alignment issues. Traditional braces consist of a system of metal brackets and wires that are fixed into your mouth in order to slowly straighten them over the course of about one or two years, in most cases.

Ceramic Braces

While traditional metal braces are an incredible form of orthodontic treatment that can change your life for the better, their appearance can cause a bit of trepidation for some patients. 

The most common time to get traditional braces is in the early teen years, so some people can be reluctant to get them once they’ve become adults. That’s where ceramic braces come in. 

This form of orthodontic treatment works exactly like traditional metal braces, except it uses less noticeable ceramic brackets and sometimes clear wires to reduce the visibility of the braces. Their less visible profile helps wearers avoid unwanted attention. 

Ceramic braces are a great option for you if you’re self-conscious about your treatment, but they are more expensive than traditional braces.

Invisible Braces

The ultimate discreet method of attaining a straight and beautiful smile is with invisible braces. This orthodontic treatment consists of a series of removable clear plastic aligners that are designed to be as undetectable as possible. 

You’ll wear them for about 22 hours a day, removing them when you eat or drink and when doing your oral hygiene routine, resulting in a much straighter smile in about a year to 18 months. 

The one drawback of clear aligners when compared to traditional metal braces is that they can’t treat all of the different alignment issues that other orthodontic treatments can. While they are effective for a fairly wide range of issues, when the case is severe enough, only traditional metal braces will do.

Krystal Klear Aligners for Your Orthodontic Treatment

There are a few different types of invisible braces for those looking to fix alignment issues with maximum discretion, but none of them offer the combination of convenience, efficacy, and affordability that Krystal Klear aligners do. These invisible braces can straighten your teeth and perfect your smile like any other clear aligners, but they’re about 30% less expensive than other options. 

Todd Shatkin, DDS, offers Krystal Klear as an orthodontic treatment to all qualified patients. Below is a list of the biggest advantages that these invisible braces have to offer.

Discretion

A major hurdle that many patients struggle to overcome with receiving the orthodontic treatment they need is the appearance of traditional metal braces. It can be so difficult for some that they’ll opt for no treatment at all before receiving metal braces. With Krystal Klear, you don’t have to worry about that. They’re so discreet that the only way they tend to get noticed is when you point them out yourself.

Comfortability

Traditional metal braces can sometimes hurt the inside of your mouth, and food can get stuck in them quite easily. Krystal Klear aligners are much more comfortable to wear, and you don’t even keep them on when you eat, so there’s no worrying about lodged food particle removal after every meal.

Convenience

Once you’ve got metal braces on your teeth, they’re on there until treatment is over. If there’s ever a time when you feel the need to remove your Krystal Klear aligners, you can go ahead and do it. They’re not stuck in there, nor do they limit what kinds of foods you can eat, making them a far more convenient option.

Affordability

It’s an unfortunate fact that another tremendous hurdle for many in receiving their orthodontic treatment is the cost. There is no more affordable option for invisible braces than Krystal Klear. Your budget no longer needs to stand in between you and the smile you’ve always wanted.

In Need of Orthodontic Treatment?

Contact Dr. Todd Shatin at the Aesthetic Associates Centre today to schedule your free consultation. His unique approach to modern dentistry offers new opportunities for individuals to achieve a healthy and beautiful smile.